'We were entering a dark tunnel that day' - the story of racing's Covid shutdown

David Carr talks to those at the centre of events 12 months ago

The last race before the shutdown takes place at Wetherby on Tuesday

The last race in Britain for two and a half long months takes place at Wetherby on March 17, 2020Credit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Last Wednesday marked a sombre first anniversary: exactly one year previously, on March 17, 2020, racing came to a stop in Britain after meetings at Taunton and Wetherby.

The BHA imposed a shutdown as the coronavirus pandemic took a grip on the country – and on Ireland, which was soon to follow suit.

It would be June 1, two and a half months later, before we got a resumption in Britain, with Ireland again following soon after on June 8.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Published on 20 March 2021inFeatures

Last updated 16:55, 21 March 2021

Copy